Skeptics with a K

Skeptics with a K

Skeptics with a K is the podcast for science, reason and critical thinking from the Merseyside Skeptics Society. Each episode features Mike Hall, Michael Marshall, and Dr Alice Howarth chatting about the things which interest them, often from a skeptical angle.

Episodes

May 9, 2024

Alice looks at the alternative medicine diagnosis of ‘adrenal fatigue’, and Mike talks about the Baltimore bridge disaster and asks when conspiracy theories swallowed the world. And the team discuss the first round of speakers announced for this year's QED.

Tickets for QED are now available, priced £164 for the full weekend. Pick up yours at qedcon.org

Mark as Played

Alice discusses the manufacture of argan oil, and the medicinal claims made for it and other similar oils. Meanwhile, Marsh reflects on compassionate skepticism following the death of Daniel Dennett.

If you want to support the podcast, you can donate via Patreon - or leave us a glowing review on your podcasting app of choice!

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
April 11, 2024

Marsh looks at the relationships between the Free Speech Union and the anti-mask/climate change denial website the Daily Sceptic. Meanwhile, Mike reports on court documents which reveal how Facebook steals data by spying on your encrypted internet traffic.

Plus, Alice and Mike feed the animals at the zoo.

Mark as Played
March 28, 2024

Alice asks why a relatively small article on cider vinegar for weight loss got so much traction, and Mike looks at companies making overblown claims for cheap products via YouTube advertising. Meanwhile, the team gets the grips with our new recording setup.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
March 14, 2024

Marsh looks at the environmental and social impact of outdoor digital advertising, and Mike gives the low down on the risks of glyphosate-based weedkillers. Meanwhile, Mike goes to watch Dune 2, Marsh goes to the athletics, and Alice is back!

We survive on donations from listeners like you. If you want to support the show and the work we do, you can sign up for a regular donation at patreon.com/merseyskeptics.

Mark as Played
February 29, 2024

With Alice unwell, Mike and Marsh are joined by guest host Kat to talk about their recent meet-up with a group of flat earthers, and Marsh looks at regulatory problems between Trading Standards and the Advertising Standards Authority.

If you enjoy the show, it would be a great help if you can donate to us via Patreon, or leave us a glowing review on your podcasting platform of choice. It's really appreciated.

Get well soon, Alice...

Mark as Played
February 15, 2024

Alice investigates labial peels, the unregulated chemical peel for your vulva, while Mike asks whether we really do need to be drinking eight glasses of water per day.

Meanwhile, the team is having problems with YouTube.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
February 1, 2024

Marsh investigates the recent appearance of 'ear seeds' on Dragon's Den, while Mike looks at how to change your life literally with Quantum Jumping. Meanwhile, Alice has some exciting news about an upcoming project.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
January 18, 2024

Mike, Alice, and Marsh are joined by special guest Lana, who takes a look at the Drug-Free ADHD proponents. Meanwhile, Mike looks the software problems which resulted in the Horizon Post Office Scandal.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
January 4, 2024

Welcome to 2024! Mike, Alice, and Marsh take a break from the usual format to answer listener questions, about skepticism and what we can learn from listening to people who we disagree with.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
December 21, 2023

For the final show of 2023, Marsh and Alice talk go in-depth on the psychic readings they saw at the Newark Mind-Body-Spirit festival. Meanwhile, Mike has a very old correction to make.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
December 7, 2023

Mike looks at the popular US supplement Prevagen, and Marsh reports on what happened when he and Alice visited another Mind Body Spirit festival. Meanwhile, Marsh and Mike go to watch some Shakespeare.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
November 23, 2023

Alice looks at a new product which sells supplements to enhance esports players, and Marsh looks at the health claims made by Gillian Anderson's G Spot. Meanwhile, Mike has three pizzas.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
November 9, 2023

Mike looks at the all-in-one shopping app Temu and asks if there is more going on that meets the eye, while Alice looks at claims from TikTok that eating carrots can give you a tan.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played
October 26, 2023

Marsh fact-checks the parliamentary speech from anti-vaccine MP Andrew Bridgen, and Mike digs into why the first four episodes of Doctor Who are in dispute. Meanwhile, Alice tries to get a tetanus shot.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Donate to the Merseyside Skeptics Patreon at https://patreon.com/merseyskeptics. Your donations allow us to do the work that we do.

Mark as Played

With QED behind them, the team take a well deserved rest. Instead, we have this rare archive segment originally recorded for episode 200, when Mike, Marsh and Alice were joined by Colin to tackle a new Fantastic Fact.

Mark as Played

Live from QED 2023, Marsh looks at what Gematria says about QED and Skeptics with a K, Alice pokes fun at supplement pedlars Black Forest, and Mike reads savage podcast reviews.

Mark as Played
September 14, 2023

With QED looming, Alice looks at the burgeoning Kardashian wellness empire 'Poosh', and Marsh asks if there is more to recent calls to ban nitrates and nitrites from school dinners than there may first appear.

This is your final call for QED tickets, with only the last couple of dozen remaining! Tickets are £149, £129 for students or under-18s, or just £39 to watch the live stream of the main stage. Pick up yours today at qe...

Mark as Played
August 31, 2023

This week, Mike talks about software piracy and copy protection, and the risk of a video game black hole, and Marsh looks at recent messaging from the World Health Organisation which seems to promote 'traditional medicine'.

Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh watch the birds of prey display at a music festival.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

The final few tickets for QED are available now - grab yours before it's too late!

Mark as Played
August 17, 2023

In this extended episode, Mike looks at the recent 82 minute video from the YouTuber Medlife Crisis about the amazing power of the placebo effect. Meanwhile, Alice and Marsh stumble upon an injured man and step in to help.

Mixed and edited by Morgan Clarke.

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

    The Nikki Glaser Podcast

    Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.

    Start Here

    A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2024 iHeartMedia, Inc.